MIAMI (WSVN) - As wearing face masks becomes mandatory in public settings throughout parts of Miami-Dade County, health officials are reminding residents that knowing how to wear the essential accessory correctly is vital to public safety.
Throughout Thursday, 7News cameras showed a mix of people wearing masks, not wearing masks and sort of wearing masks, days after multiple municipalities began to strictly enforce mandates requiring everyone to wear masks, both indoors and outdoors.
“I guess we all have to do it if it’s mandatory. There’s no choice,” said a woman who spoke with 7News Thursday evening.
“It’s just the way we live now,” said Melanie de la Cruz, who is visiting Miami from Tampa.
“Not only am I protecting myself from other people, I’m protecting other people from myself,” said Susan Flores-Villamil, the director of clinical learning and development at Jackson Health System.
Flores-Villamil said that if your mouth and nose aren’t properly covered, you’re at a higher risk of contracting the virus.
“Wearing our mask by just covering our mouth is not enough,” she said.
“You’re not wearing a mask if you’re doing that. It doesn’t make much sense,” said Miami resident Tara Notvest.
The woman who spoke with 7News Thursday evening showed how she puts on her black face mask.
“You first get one ear, grab the mask and then bring it to the other one,” she said. “Accommodate it to cover your nostrils, make sure that you don’t have any holes, and voila, you’re ready for the streets of Miami.”
Flores-Villamil said people who wear masks that way could also be unknowingly spreading the virus.
“If I’m walking around, and I may not have any symptoms, really, every time I’m talking to you, it’s preventing my respiratory secretions that are so small we can’t see from projecting outwards,” she said,
Flores-Villamil said how you handle your mask is another key piece of the puzzle, as the nation fights to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“We want to be mindful that every time we have to touch our face, we hand sanitize if I need to readjust my mask,” she said.
Experts say social distancing is still one of the most important things people can do right now, but face coverings will go a long way now that many businesses have reopened.
While there is still mixed reaction on the mandates requiring masks, those who spoke with 7News said wearing a mask is becoming a part of everyday life.
“I just think it’s common sense now to wear a mask everywhere, I guess,” said de la Cruz.
“This is a very easy thing for everybody to do to keep everybody else safe,” said Notvest.
Thursday evening, an ordinance passed in the City of Miami approving fines for those not wearing masks.
Anyone with questions and concerns about the coronavirus can call the Florida Department of Health’s 24-hour hotline at 1-866-779-6121.
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